The water supply and sanitation service in the capital of Almeria is a fundamental pillar for the development of local tourism, commerce, and industry. Although much of this work is carried out silently underground or through remote control systems, its impact on citizens' quality of life is direct.
The company responsible for the service has implemented a public-private partnership model that has enabled the installation of 40,000 smart meters. This digitalization, combined with the use of artificial intelligence and Big Data, facilitates early leak detection and network pressure optimization.
“"No one congratulates you for the water that is not lost, but every liter we recover is a liter that does not need to be captured, treated, or pumped."
The results of this strategy are significant: the city currently consumes half the water it did 30 years ago, despite the population having grown by approximately 35%. Furthermore, the company employs over 160 families in the province, fostering a stable economic fabric.
Looking ahead, the challenges focus on renewing obsolete infrastructure and adapting to more frequent drought periods. The goal is to move towards circular management where treated water is reused for agricultural or energy purposes, reducing dependence on rainfall cycles.
